A geospatial analysis of Redfin service locations in historically redlined areas (research, presented at ACSP 2022)

• Question. Does an online real estate brokerage’s two-tier service model reproduce the geography of historical redlining?

• Backgroun. In 2020 the National Fair Housing Alliance sued Redfin, alleging that its full-service offering was disproportionately unavailable in lower-priced, majority-minority neighborhoods; the case settled in 2022.

• Data. Redfin listings by agent type (Redfin agent vs. partner agent); 1930s HOLC redlining maps; ACS 5-year demographics.

• Methods

  • Mapped listings by agent type against HOLC grades (A–D) in metropolitan Detroit (Wayne County) and Chicago (Cook and Lake Counties, IL; Lake County, IN).

  • Compared median listing price, non-white population share, household income, and disability rates by agent type and HOLC grade.

• Findings. In both metros, listings served by Redfin’s own agents were concentrated in higher-priced, whiter, higher-income areas. Partner-agent listings dominated majority non-white neighborhoods, including formerly redlined (HOLC C and D) areas. The pattern is consistent with disparate impact even if driven by price thresholds rather than intent.

• Tools. ArcGIS Pro, ACS data

• Images. Detroit or Chicago map of listings over HOLC grades; one comparison chart

• Acknowledgement. Funded by the West Chester University Provost’s Office.